Stock Market & Financial Investment News

Toyota aware of issue prompting recall four years ago, FT saysDocuments published to the website of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show that Toyota (TM) first became aware in 2008 of an issue with its car doors that has now prompted a recall of 7.4M vehicles, according to Financial Times. Reference Link

After Jeep hacked, analyst predicts cybersecurity boosts for Harman, DelphiAfter Jeep hacked, analyst predicts cybersecurity boosts for Harman, Delphi The shares of Harman (HAR) and Delphi Automotive (DLPH) are rising after Wells Fargo predicted that the companies would benefit from the increasing need to protect cars from cybersecurity attacks after Wired reported on hackers discovering methods that can be used to take control of vehicles. BACKGROUND: Two computer hacking researchers showed that they could seize control of a Jeep Cherokee, made by Fiat Chrysler (FCAU), using a technique called a zero-day exploit, Wired reported today. Using the same technique, the hackers can control "any of thousands of vehicles," the website reported. In the past, they have demonstrated how they were able to take control of a Ford (F) Escape and Toyota (TM) Prius, according to Wired. The hackers' technique involves taking control of vehicles' entertainment systems and sending commands to the vehicles' dashboard functions, steering, brakes, and transmission through their those systems, the website stated. ANALYST REACTION: In a note to investors today, Wells Fargo analyst David Lim responded to Wired's article by saying that cybersecurity has become a significant concern for automakers. Automotive technology suppliers such as Harman (HAR) and Delphi (DLPH) should benefit from auto makers' efforts to protect their vehicles from cyberattacks, Kwas believes. He reiterated Outperform ratings on Harman and Delphi. PRICE ACTION: In morning trading, Harman climbed about 2% to $108 and Delphi rose fractionally to $78.15. This version of the story replaces an earlier one to correct the lead analyst to David Lim.

Jeep Cherokee can be hacked via entertainment system, Wired reportsHackers Charlie Miller and Chris Valasek demonstrated to Wired how Jeep Cherokees can be hacked via the vehicle’s entertainment system, giving an attacker wireless control of the automobile and its systems. Miller and Valasek previously demonstrated hacks they were able to perpetrate against Ford (F) Escape and Toyota (TM) Prius vehicles, the report noted. Other publicly traded automakers include General Motors (GM), Honda (HMC), Nissan (NSANY) and Volkswagen (VLKAY). Reference Link

GoPro, Toyota partner to put camera mount in Tacoma, Wired says GoPro (GPRO) and Toyota (TM) are partnering to place a a GoPro camera mount on the roofline of every new 2016 Toyota Tacoma, a first for a carmaker, says Wired. Toyota will not supply the camera, added Wired. Shares of GoPro are up 6.5% while Toyota is up fractionally. Reference Link

HERE offering free HD map data for automated vehicle testsHERE, a Nokia (NOK) company, announced it is making high-definition mapping data of sections of public roads in four countries available to all automotive companies to support their highly automated vehicle initiatives. HERE is offering HD mapping data of specific stretches of open road in Silicon Valley and Michigan in the United States, as well as in France and Germany, to all carmakers and automotive suppliers for test purposes. HERE plans to offer data for Japan too later this year. HERE is currently working with more than 10 "leading automotive companies" on automated driving projects, the company said. Publicly traded automakers include Fiat Chrysler (FCAU), Ford (F), General Motors (GM), Honda (HMC), Nissan (NSANY), Toyota (TM) and Volkswagen (VLKAY).